(111i) Experimental Investigation of Supported Noble-Metal Catalysts for Methylcyclohexane Dehydrogenation

Reversible hydrogenation–dehydrogenation cycles, using liquid organic hydrogen carriers, can offer efficient and clean hydrogen storage that release under mild conditions [1]. Methylcyclohexane (MCH) stands out as a promising hydrogen storage compound. Addressing technological challenges involves developing efficient dehydrogenation catalysts with high activity and stability. Our prior research showed that altering the support material significantly impacts the conversion of MCH dehydrogenation, reaffirming platinum catalysts' efficacy in this reaction. Interaction between the active metal and the support alters Pt's electronic structure, enhancing hydrogen spillover and catalytic performance. Mixed metal oxide supports, known for their multifunctionality, improve catalyst stability by hindering sintering and resisting coke formation. They offer versatility in surface area and pore structure, which can be finely tuned through oxide composition, molar ratio adjustments, and synthesis parameter modifications [2].

This study aims to enhance the efficiency of nano-platinum-based catalysts in MCH dehydrogenation reactions while deepening our understanding of support-based factors affecting performance. Through systematic exploration of mixed oxide supports versus single oxide supports, the research aims to uncover the complex relationships between catalyst composition, structure, and efficiency. Expanding on previous work, this investigation focuses on designing, developing, and evaluating mixed oxide supports to improve the effectiveness of Pt-based dehydrogenation catalysts. Catalytic behavior was assessed based on activity, selectivity, stability, and resistance to sintering and coke formation. Using advanced characterization methods like chemisorption, XRPD, and DRIFTS, catalyst characteristics were analyzed and correlated with performance to determine the best composition and reaction conditions.

References:

• Zhu, Qi-Long, and Qiang Xu. "Liquid organic and inorganic chemical hydrides for high-capacity hydrogen storage." Energy & Environmental Science 8, no. 2 (2015): 478-512.
• van Deelen, Tom W., Carlos Hernández Mejía, and Krijn P. de Jong. "Control of metal-support interactions in heterogeneous catalysts to enhance activity and selectivity." Nature Catalysis 2, no. 11 (2019): 955-970.